Love Finds a Way

I don't own Gorgeous Carat the jewels belong to You Higuri.

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Chapter 1

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Ray is lying back with a contented smile on his face as he awakens before Florian. They have been lovers for over a year now and he still loved waking up beside his amethyst. He leans on one elbow and looks down in the older man's face.

Florian stirs besides the younger man and opens his eyes slowly. He smiles up at Ray and says, "Are you watching me sleep again Noir?'

He bends down and kisses Florian on the lips as answers, "I always watch you, don't you know that?"

Florian chuckles as he reaches up and strokes the side of his lover's face. He has never been this happy with anyone before and he could not believe that he would find happiness with another man and certainly not with the infamous Phantom thief Noir. But the heart wanted what it wanted so who was he to deny the feelings he had for the younger man.

"Have you finished packing sleepy head? You know we leave in a few hours."

"I've packed all I will need for this voyage so there's no reason to be concerned about me love."

Ray strokes his lover's chest running his long fingers around the blonde man's nipples making them harden as they cry out for attention.

"Do we really have time for this?"

"We always have time for this, sleepy head."

"Then let's do this properly."

"You mean there is something wrong in the way I'm handling this?"

"To be honest, you're teasing me right now."

"Trust me my love, I'm not teasing you."

Florian pulls the younger man down into his arms and wraps his leg around his hips as Ray falls on top of him smiling.

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Their bags are loaded in the car as Florian pulls his cloak around his shoulders wondering if he will get sick on this voyage also. He hated traveling by ship but that was the only way they could get to Venice and then they had to travel by boat to get from place to place.

"Florian! Don't just stand there gawking like an idiot let's go!"

Noel looks up at Florian with eyes wide as the blonde says, "Stop yelling I'm coming Ray!" He looks down at the child and adjusts his garments and then takes his hand.

Laila is sitting in the back of the car waiting. She looks at Florian as he comes down the stairs smiling up at Ray. She wants to hate Ray for choosing the blonde man over her but she couldn't. She has loved him since he rescued her from the slums of Morocco.

She has always been his loyal and trusted friend and she is not going to change because he decided to make the aristocrat his lover. They tried to hide the fact they were intimate with each other but she could tell their relationship had changed.

Florian was getting a little bolder in the way he was talking to Noir. He would have been punished for some of the things he now says to him and it seems that all Noir did now was waved his hand at some of the things he said or did.

Florian was his confidant now. He knew more about the dealings he had with the members of the aristocracy then she did. Whenever one came they had to go through Florian before they could see Ray and not all of them were granted an appointment. He knew just who could not afford to pay him back and who had assets to use as collateral.

Seeing that most of them had sold off their valuables and then come to Ray as if they were doing him a favor made the fact that Florian was the one they had to deal with all the more humiliating.

The rumors that were going around about the Duke and the Count were of their doing and now they had to face the young men in a humbling way and some had to be content with less then they had originally wanted.

Laila knew he was the better choice in helping Noir with his loan business but she could not help but resent not being by his side.

"Laila…hello, where are you! Move over so Noel can get in! We're going to be late while you daydream like that!"

Ray is standing at the car looking at the dark skinned beauty as she comes to her senses apologizing profusely.

"I'm sorry Noir I was just thinking about something. Come on Noel, sit next to me."

Florian sits in the front next to Ray as he smiles and takes off towards the pier. He has been looking forward to this trip for awhile and now he has all the information he needs to make it a success.

"You look pretty happy with yourself Noir; I dare say what has you so chipper this morning?"

"Nothing you have to concern yourself with. I'm just looking forward to the trip. I get to relax and spend time with my favorite jewel."

He looks over at Florian and grins. Nevertheless, Florian knows that the younger man has something else up his sleeve. He never takes a trip for pleasure along. He is planning something and he did not let him in on it because he knew that Florian would probably try to talk him out of it.

Florian sighs and turns away, he knows one day, Ray would get caught playing the part of Noir and when that day came the whole lot of them would go to Gaul.

He thinks maybe it won't be so bad if the two of them were together and they spend the rest of their lives in chains eating scraps from someone else's table.

He visibly shake the thoughts away because he knows he will never last in a place like that so his best bet was to continue to pray Noir never gets caught.

"What's with everyone today? Now you have gone off into your own world! What is with you and Laila today, I guess the two of you really need this time to relax.

"Oh Ray don't be so petty. What did you want; I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention."

"It's not important we can wait until we get to the ship. I'm in no hurry. Doesn't the air smell good in the direction of the sea?"

Florian looks at him and sighs, "I can only think of the waves and it makes me nauseous. Is this trip that important to you Ray? You could have left me at home. You know how I am on ships and I have not improved to my knowledge."

"Ah but I have a new medicine that might help. I was speaking to an alchemist that told me it works wonders on the stomach. I brought a full supply for you and if it doesn't work I'll have his head."

"Are you sure you can trust him. I do not want to be a guinea pig for someone's experiments. I'd rather get sick than die."

"Do you honestly think that I would allow you to die to see if this medicine works Florian?"

The older man blushes as he puts his head down and looks contrite.

"No I guess not but I just don't think there is a cure for seasickness."

"I have been like this all my life and I don't think that some type of medicine is going to cure me of this affliction I've lived with for so long."

"Now that's where you're wrong. I have heard they are working on a vaccine for a host of elements even the plague. Someone in the colonies has a cure using peanuts if you can believe it, but that is neither here nor there we're hoping that your seasickness doesn't get to bad that this little remedy won't help."

Florian looks at Noir and puts his hand on his sleeve saying, "Well if it works or not I think it is thoughtful of you to think about me and my malady.

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Florian is in his stateroom unpacking his bags when Noel comes in with his teddy bear and tears in his eyes.

"Betty Deux's eye fell out and I can't get it back in."

Florian sits in the chair and takes the bear with the missing eye from the boy. "Oh Noel we'll just have someone sew it back on for you, don't cry. He reaches over on his table and picks up a cookie handing it to the boy.

He crawls in Florian's lap as the door opens. "The brat is supposed to be in Lilia's room not in here with you! Don't start spoiling him Florian!"

Noel bursts into tears and Florian glares at Noir. "Look at what you've done, you made him cry again!" Florian is rocking Noel back and forth trying to get him to stop crying as Noir looks on with his arms folded.

"What is he doing in here anyway?"

"If you must know his bear lost one of its eyes!"

"So he's lost one of the eyes what's the big deal?"

"How would you feel if you lost one of your jewels? It is the same with him; his father gave him this bear if you can remember. So it's precious to him, how can you be so dense?"

Noir steps out of the room and comes back with Laila. "Take the boy topside so he can clam down. He needs the eyes on his teddy bear replaced. Take care of it for me okay?"

Noel jumps out of Florian's lap and takes her hand. He turns and looks at Florian over his shoulder giving him a tiny smile as he heads out with the dark skinned girl.

As soon as the door shuts Florian jumps up and says, "You are the one that is spoiled Noir. Why would you yell at him for no reason!"

Noir lights his cigar and sits down on the bed. He looks at Florian with a frown. "Come here Florian."

Florian looks at him with apprehension because he does not like the look on his face or the sound of his voice. He backs up towards the door. "Why, what do you want Ray?"

"You know what I want, so come here."

Florian turns and heads for the door, pulls it open and is about to go out when he finds his way blocked by Noir pushing the door shut with one hand. Florian is standing between him and the closed door.

Noir leans into the older man as he whispers in his ear. "Where were you going Florian? Do you think it will be that easy to run away from me?"

"I…I wasn't trying to run away from you. I just didn't want to be around you if you're in a bad mood."

Noir is leaning so close to Florian's back he can feel the warmth of his breath as he is whispering in his ear. It is sending shivers down his spine.

"I'm not in a bad mood my amethyst, right now I'm in a very good mood. Everything I want is right here."

He grinds his hips into the blonde man's backside and lifts his hair up to kiss his neck. He slides his tongue over the kiss and bites it gently while Florian moans from pleasure.

"Noir…not now."

"Why not…my love. You're here and I'm here…what more do we need?"

"What if someone needs us…what if…oh forget it."

Noir turns Florian around and captures his lips in a passionate kiss. Florian puts his arms around the younger man's shoulders as his lover encircles his waist. As they lean against the door, they hear a knock.

Noir slowly pulls away from Florian as he pulls his waistcoat down. He walks toward the suitcases as Noir opens the door.

"What the hell is it now?"

Standing at the door is a steward inviting him and Florian to have dinner that evening,

"Count Courtland, the captain would like to invite you and your guest to have dinner at his table tonight sir."

Noir looks over at Florian and says, "Well Florian what do you say do you want to have dinner with the captain tonight?"

"Whatever you decide is fine with me N…Ray, it is an honor, right?"

Noir turns back to the steward and tells him to let the captain know that they would be there. He closes the door and turns to Florian.

"Now where were we?" He walks over pulling the blonde into his arms once again. Florian smiles up at him parting his lips as Noir slides his tongue inside to taste his lover's sweetness.

As they fall back on the bed Florian slides his fingers through the younger man's hair. He turns his face so Noir can get to the sensitive part of his ear. He takes it in his mouth sucking on it gently.

Noir slides his hand down the front of his lover's chest and slowly unbuttons his shirt kissing his chest with every button that comes undone. Florian moans with every contact that Noir makes with his lips.

He pulls Florian's shirt open and takes one harden bud in his mouth sucking and licking it until it rises up and then he moves over and does the same to the other.

Florian is busy with the buttons on Noir shirt but because of the sensations Noir is pleasuring him with, he is having a difficult time.

Noir rises up and looks down at his lover as he says, "Is there a problem my love?"

Florian smiles at him and says, "I'm just having trouble with your shirt. I want to unbutton it but I'm tempted to tear it off you just to get to your body, your beautiful body, mon cheri."

Noir chuckles, pulls the shirt over his head as he stands, and slips out of his pants letting them drop on the floor. He crawls over his blonde haired lover and licks him form his neck to his navel as Florian puts his hands in the younger man's hair stroking it softly.

He puts his tongue in Florian's navel and twirls it around poking it in and out. With his right hand, he flicks the buttons on his lover's pants and eases them down his hips exposing the erection hidden inside.

As he licks, the side of his manhood he pulls Florian's pants all the way off and drops them on the floor with the rest of their clothes. He smiles as Florian moans in the back of his throat telling him how good it feels.

Florian looks down at the dark hair covering his thighs as he grabs the sheet in his hands. He knows that he loves this man above all others and he will never leave him for all the money in the world.

Noir pushes Florian's legs up toward his chest as he moves one hand down to his tight opening. He strokes and probes with his finger easing one finger inside him, he pushes until he makes room for a second. Florian gasps aloud then bites down on his bottom lip. His hands go to Noir's silky locks as he holds his head with one hand looking down at him. "Yes…that's it Noir!"

As Noir takes him deeper in his throat, he slides the third finger in stretching him open further. Florian arches his back crying out Noir's name.

"Are you ready for me my beautiful amethyst, I'm ready to feel you completely."

Florian nods yes and Noir slides his fingers out, positions himself above Florian, pulls his body down towards him, and slides in slowly. The blonde-haired man moans as he feels his lover slide ever so slowly inside him. Noir stops so Florian can adjust to the pain that gives over to pleasure.

He increases his thrust as he can hear his blonde lover call out to him softly. "Deeper Noir…I want to feel…all of you now…ah…uh…please."

Noir brushes the hair off the blonde's face and slides back in only deeper this time. His thrusts are slow and steady as he reaches between their bodies and gently strokes Florian's erection. As he moves his hips, he strokes Florian at the same pace.

"Oh, Florian I could stay here inside you forever, you feel so good. God how I love the feel of you when you surround me like this. I could get lost inside of you and never be found."

He moves so deep inside of Florian they can feel their spheres flap together with each thrust. As his lover gasps Noir looks in his face at his lust filled eyes and groans out loud. Florian eyes do him in.

"Oh Florian I can't hold myself back any longer you're mine, all mine and I love you so much! I'm sorry…I can't…oh Florian!"

With a final thrust and a snap of his hips, they both come at the same time calling out to each other as they see a multitude of colors behind their eyes. They both shudder before Noir collapses on top of the older man. Florian puts his arms around him and holds him close as he kisses the side of his face. He can feel the waves of pleasure roll along his body as he holds his lover in his arms.

He strokes Noir's back and says, "You know that I love you don't you Noir?"

Noir frowns because he doesn't like the sound of Florian's voice, so he raises his eyes without moving head and says, "Yes and?"

Florian tilts his lover's face up and plants a kiss on his lips as he says, "Nothing, I just wanted to make sure that you knew that before this voyage begin because I'm not going to be up to a repeat performance later on."

"Are you sure that's all?"

Florian looks down at him and says, "What else could there be. Now let's take a nap before dinner."

The blonde didn't have the heart to tell him he has seem someone from his past board the ship because he knew it was going to be a rough crossing in more ways then one.